Farm News

Early Planting Could Result In Complications

Purdue Report by Sayde Rayburn

While warm weather in April gave Indiana farmers an early start to planting corn and soybeans this spring, there could be complications later, two Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service specialists warned.

The corn has been planted at record pace with few problems and issues so far, said Bob Nielsen, corn specialist. “Grain yield is always clear-cut at this point in the season because the effects of the rest of the season are not known. Early planting typically increases the odds of good grain yield compared to late planting but by itself does not guarantee good grain quality.”

The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistic Service report of May 10 stated that 81 percent of the corn in Indiana was already planted, compared with the five-year average of 35 percent. Twenty-one percent of soybeans are planted compared with the 6 percent five-year average.

“The soybeans have been planted pretty quickly this year,” said Shaun Casteel, soybean specialist. “Although this is not the fastest they have been put in the ground, farmers are ahead of schedule.”

When the soybeans and corn were planted in mid-April, the temperature was warmer. But after a cold snap, some fields are sustaining frost damage, Casteel said. The north-central and northeastern parts of the state have had the most damage.

“Depending on when the soybeans were planted, the frost could have affected the plants in different ways,” Casteel said.

If the soybeans hypocotyl – lower stems – has not fully extended and was frosted, the chance of survival is minimal. If the plant has fully extended and the cotyledons – seed leaves – were frosted, the plant will likely survive.

“If the plant was fully extended and frosted, two stems may develop from the single plant, which will produce soybeans but could be prone to lodging later in the season,” said Casteel said. “Lodging occurs when the plant falls over due to a number of factors such as weak stems, excessive vegetative growth, and wind and heavy rain, creating problems from disease and at harvest,” Casteel said.

Casteel suggests that farmers with soybeans that were frosted take a stand count in their fields.

If farmers have a stand count of 100,000 and 120,000 they should be fine. If counts are 80,000 or below, they may want to consider replanting their fields.

“Farmers have to determine if it is worth replanting, which could result in a lower yield potential,” Casteel said. “My advice is if you are going to replant, do it within the first three weeks of May because after that farmers will see a reduction in yield potential. The average yield loss is between 13 percent and 15 percent if the field is not replanted when the plant stand is 40,000 plants per acre.”

Casteel said that farmers who do not replant will likely have to spray for weeds later in the season.

Indiana soils currently are wet and cool. The seeds in the ground now are slow to emerge and are more susceptible to disease.

If the weather turns warm suddenly, Casteel said the soil may crust, which could create emergence problems.

As for now, farmers have to play the waiting game to see how their fields were affected, Casteel